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Howard County, Maryland
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This week, we continue to honor and celebrate Dr. Maura Rossman’s contributions to public health and the Howard County community as she prepares to retire at the end of October. With her retirement, Antigone R. Vickery, MPH, has been named Interim Health Officer.
Read the full announcement below.
.@HoCoGovExec has announced the retirement of @HoCoHealth Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman, effective end of October 2026. To read more about this announcement, learn about Dr. Rossman's career as #HoCoMD Health Officer, & to learn who has been named Interim Health Officer, check out our news release at howardcountymd.gov/News10232….
ALT County Executive Calvin Ball posed for a photo with Dr. Maura Rossman together holding up her Executive Proclamation proclaiming October 19, 2026 Dr. Maura Rossman Day in Howard County, Maryland in celebration of her retirement.
The Howard County Health Department announces the retirement of Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman following nearly two decades of dedicated service to our community.
Since becoming Health Officer in 2012, Dr. Rossman has helped expand access to care, strengthen community partnerships, and lead the Howard County Health Department through significant milestones, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership has helped advance important initiatives in maternal health, behavioral health, school-based wellness, and food access.
Under her guidance, the Health Department achieved national public health accreditation in 2019 and earned reaccreditation in 2026, reflecting our continued commitment to quality public health services.
We are grateful for Dr. Rossman’s compassionate leadership, dedication to all who live, work and visit Howard County, and lasting contributions to the health and well-being of our community. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Rossman on her retirement and thanking her for her many years of public service. We wish her all the best in her next chapter!
The U.S. National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has issued a HEAT ADVISORY for Howard County, in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16. High temperatures in the upper 90s, combined with high humidity, will make outside temperatures feel even hotter with heat index values reaching up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
The warning signs of heat-related illness include light-headedness, headaches, muscle cramps, mild nausea, confusion, fatigue, profuse sweating and rapid breathing. All residents are encouraged to take a common-sense approach to the extreme heat and take the following precautions to prevent heat-related illness:
• NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environment.
• If you must be out in the heat, wear light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
• Stay well hydrated. Drink water and caffeine-free liquids. Avoid alcoholic beverages. (Alcoholic beverages do not keep you hydrated.)
• Stay out of the sun during the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the hottest period of the day.
• Take frequent rest breaks in air conditioned or shaded environments.
• Check on elderly friends, family and neighbors.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heat related illness: extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, possible vomiting or fainting, dry red skin.
Additional heat safety resources can be found on the Health Department website.
For those in need of a place to cool off these days, visit the Howard County "Warming and Cooling Center Information" website for locations available around the County. Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at410-531-6677
As with any other emergency, citizens should call 9-1-1 if they encounter a heat related emergency. For more detailed information, visit the Health Department website at hchealth.org.
The U.S. National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has issued a HEAT ADVISORY for Howard County, in effect for Wednesday, July 15, from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. High temperatures in the upper 90s, combined with high humidity, will make outside temperatures feel even hotter with heat index values reaching up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. ⬇️
ALT Thermometer shows high heat temperature.
NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environment.
If you must be out in the heat, wear light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
Stay well hydrated. Drink water and caffeine-free liquids. Avoid alcoholic beverages. (Alcoholic beverages do not keep you hydrated.)
Stay out of the sun during the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the hottest period of the day.
Take frequent rest breaks in air conditioned or shaded environments.
Check on elderly friends, family and neighbors.
Be aware of the symptoms of heat related illness: extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, possible vomiting or fainting, dry red skin. ⬇️
For those in need of a place to cool off these days, visit the Howard County "Warming and Cooling Center Information" website for locations available around the County. Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677.
As with any other emergency, citizens should call 9-1-1 if they encounter a heat related emergency. For more detailed information, visit the Health Department website at hchealth.org.
The U.S. National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has issued a Heat Advisory for Howard County from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 1. The National Weather Service has also issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Howard County beginning Thursday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. through Friday, July 3, at 8:00 p.m. Hot conditions are expected to continue through Saturday (7/4) and Sunday (7/5).
• Take frequent rest breaks in air conditioned or shaded environments.
• Check on elderly friends, family and neighbors.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heat related illness: extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, possible vomiting or fainting, dry red skin
Individuals who are planning outdoor activities to celebrate the Independence Day holiday are urged to begin planning now to reduce the risk of heat-related illness. This includes beginning to hydrate up to 24 hours before any outdoor events, having a plan for shaded or air-conditioned breaks, wearing light-weight clothing and applying sunscreen.
Howard County Health Department retweeted
Howard County is expanding access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone in an effort to continue its progress in reducing overdose deaths.
In the past five years, fatal overdoses in the county have declined by nearly 62%, with 26 deaths recorded in 2021, compared to 10 recorded in 2025, data from the county shows.
Data from the Maryland Department of Health shows there were 20 overdose deaths between June 2025 and May 2026, including 13 fatal opioid overdoses and 12 overdose deaths involving fentanyl.
During that time, first responders administered naloxone to 163 people. In 2025, 2351 doses of naloxone were distributed in the county, data shows.
cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/h…
@HoCoHealth @HoCoGov
They're here!
We've installed two NEW Safe Choice Vending Machines in Howard County, providing FREE, 24/7 access to naloxone, test strips that can help identify harmful substances, condoms, and health resources for everyone who lives, works, or visits our community.
You can find the machines at:
📍Howard County Health Department
📍Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center
Learn more: howardcountymd.gov/health/na…
Talking early and openly with your kids about cannabis helps them make safer choices. Setting clear rules and expectations shows you care and helps protect their health and future. Learn more at: howardcountymd.gov/health/to…
ALT Maryland cannabis administration logo
The US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has issued a HEAT ADVISORY for Howard County, in effect for Friday, June 12, from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. As high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s, combined with high humidity may cause heat illness, all residents are encouraged to⬇️
• NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environment
• If you must be out in the heat, wear light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen
• Stay well hydrated with drink water and caffeine-free liquids. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Stay out of the sun during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Take frequent rest breaks in air conditioned or shaded environments
• Check on elderly friends, family and neighbors ⬇️
Howard County residents in need of a cooler environment can visit one of Howard County’s Community Centers, 50+ Centers, or Library branches during normal hours. Anyone in need of shelter or other assistance should call the Grassroots hotline at 410-531-6677.
For more information, and heat safety tips, visit: howardcountymd.gov/health